On Connection

“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another.”
― Thomas Merton, Love and Living

When we’re told that we need to learn to love ourselves first before we can love another, we’re left to consider: how can we learn to love ourselves? I’m learning to love the self that is the inner me, who is always there, and who knows how to connect with the All. This Self, when expressed, is patient and kind. This Self puts aside “selfish” grasping, and learns to see others in a way that seeks to alleviate their suffering. We all suffer in the effort of being human.

And so, true belonging begins with belonging to myself. Loving and accepting that deepest, knowing part of me allows me to enter into relationships in an authentic way, from where I can truly be present for others.

B —Did I respect my own boundaries? Was I clear about what’s okay and what’s not okay?
R —Was I reliable? Did I do what I said I was going to do? A —Did I hold myself accountable?
V —Did I respect the vault [emotional privacy] and share appropriately?
I —Did I act from my integrity?
N —Did I ask for what I needed? Was I nonjudgmental about needing help?
G —Was I generous toward myself?
— p. 39, Brené Brown, Braving the Wilderness

“True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.” — Brené Brown, Braving the Wilderness

ON CONNECTION

From the inner me
To the inner you
This bond of being
Surrounds us with grace.
Within the circle of love
We know even before hearing
What moves us
What gives us pain
What brings joy.

Let us rest
Just for a few moments
In the knowing place
Where boundaries are immaterial,
Where we are free to be
You and me.
C. Scribner ©2/21/20